Did he buy the hydro or did it come with the engine? Most 1st gen b16s come with cable trannys, while the 2nd gens came with the hydros. Anyhow, I wouldn't see why you couldn't put the cable back on there, as long as it's a b-series tranny it will work.
There is an abundance of cable trannies every where too, so it shouldn't be hard to find one. Due in part to the fact that most people go with the hydro trannys. It seems easier to shift than the cable tranny does to me, that's why I'm after the hydro.
